Asian Counterfeits Boost Seizures At E.U. Borders, Report Shows

Law360, New York (February 8, 2005, 12:00 AM EST) -- Counterfeits seized by European customs officers are on the rise, bolstered by an inflow of fake toys, drugs and cosmetics made in Asia, the European Union said in a report released this week.

Border seizures rose 9% in 2003 to 100 million from 85 million the year before, according to statistics released this week.

In monetary value, seized counterfeits amounted to €1 billion, still only a fraction of the €400 billion worth of fakes that are getting past customs checks.